Gripping device for praline and like wrapping machines



Aug. 4, 1931. o. LAUENSTEIN 1,317,695

GRIPPING DEVICE FOR PRALINE AND LIKE WRAPPING MACHINES Filed March 14; 1928 Inven for:

(9 gauens/lh Patented Aug. 4, 1931 UNITED STATES PATNT OFFICE OTTO L'AUENSTEIN, F WERNIGE-ROIDE, GER-MANY GRIPPING DEVICE FOR PRALINE AND LIKE WRAPPING MACHINES Application filed. March 14, 1928, Serial No.

ig also effect the rapid feeding without dama ing the pralines or other articles.

\Vith these objects in view the invention comprises the combination of parts construct.- ed and adapted for operation substantially '1 as hereinafter described and claimed in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan-of one form of gripping device according to the invention comprising a plurality of pairs of gripping tongs fitted with two different forms of gripping jaws.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation, the section being taken on 11-11, Figure 1.

Figure3 is a plan of a pair of tongs detached, the full lines representing the tongs with their arms open and the dotted lines indicating the position assumed by the arms when closed.

Figures 4 and 5 are respectively a sectional elevation and a plan of one form-of gripping In the form illustrated a rotary shaft 1 has a rotary carrier 2 keyed thereon for carrying the pairs of gripping tongs, each of which comprises two arms 3 and 4 pivotally mounted on the carrier 2 on pins 5 and 6 respectively, which pins are spaced apart.

Each arm of each pair of tongs is provided with one or more gripping jaws adjustably mounted thereon, for instance, two of the pairs of tongs in Figure 1 are shown provided with a single aw 7 on each arin3 and 4, while the other pairs of tongs are shown provided with two jaws 7 a, 7 a on each arm 3 and 4.

Each jaw 7 or 7 a has a slotted stem 7 or 7 Z) by which it can be adjustably secured to its corresponding arm 3 or 4 by means of a clamping bolt 8 preferably having a flynut 8. r

261,634, and in Germany March 19, 1927.

When a plurality of jaws are fitted to each arm 3 or 4, the latter is preferably provided with a series of holes 9 for the clamping bolts 8 so as to permit of adjustment in the rela- A tive position of the aws, although it will be understood that other means for adjustably mounting the jaws may be adopted.

The gripping jaws 7 and 7a. are provided with gripping pads 11, preferably of resilient material such as rubber sponge. The pads 11 are preferably secured to the jaws 7 and 7a by means of intermediate supports 12 con sisting of thin metal plates encased in a thin covering of resilient material such as rubber I sponge or very porous rubber, one side of each support 12 being attached to the metal or other face of the corresponding jaw 7 or 7a and on the other receiving the pad 11 which is fixed to it by any suitable adhesive. H The pads 11, however, may be'directly affixed to the jaws 7 and 7a, the metal faces of the latter being preferably coated with rubber before the pads are applied.

The arms 3 and 4 of each pair of tongs have I, opposed extensions 14, 15, having opposed recesses 16 therein to receive a pin 17 which forms a coupling member between the two and ensures simultaneous movement of the two arms when one is moved. Each pin 17 is mounted somewhat freely in holes 17, Figure 2, in the rotary carrier 2, so that it shifts slightly therein. It is connected at each end by a spring 18 to a pin 19 fixed on the carrier 2, the springs 18 tending to shift the pins laterally so that they act on the extensions 14, 8b 15, and tend to close the arms 3 and 4 of the tongs and thereby close the gripping aws 7,

7a onto the pralines 22.

Other springs 20 connect the adjacent arms 3 and 4 of adjacent pairs of tongs. The '90 springs 20 are weaker than the springs 18 and they tend to open the arms, the springs 18 being relatively strong enough to keep the arms closed against the action of the springs 20.

Each arm 4 has a projection 21 for engagement with a stop when the carrier 2 makes an intermittent or other rotary movement whereby the particular pair of arms 3 and 4 are opened. No stops or means for rotating the carrier 2 are shown as they will be obvious to those skilled in the art of wrapping machinery.

WVhen the projection 21 passes a stop the springs 18 of the particular pair of arms 3 and 4 will close them rapidly, but the corresponding springs 20 will cushion this action. By connecting adjacent arms 3 and 4 of adjacent pairs of tongs by means of the springs 18 a less number of these springs are required as there is no necessity to provide a separate one for each arm.

I claim:

1. A gripping dev'ce for a praline or like wrapping machine comprising gripper tongs, a plurality of gripping jaws on one of said tongs adjustable relatively to each other and to said tongs, and means for securing said jaws to said tongs in any position of adjustment thereon.

2. A gripping device for a praline or like wrapping machine comprising a plurality of pairs of gripper tongs having arms, spring closing means associated with each pair of tongs, and weaker spring means acting on the tongs in opposition to the spring closing means.

3. A gripping device for a praline or like wrapping machine comprising gripper tongs having arms, a plurality of gripping jaws on each arm, each of said jaws being independently adjustable relatively to its corresponding arm and means for securing each jaw in any position of adjustment on its arm.

4. A gripping device for a praline or like wrapping machine comprising a plurality of gripper tongs having arms and gripping jaws, spring closing means associated with each pair of tongs, and a weaker spring means acting on the tongs in opposition to the spring closing means, said weaker spring means connecting certain of the arms of the pairs of tongs.

5. A gripping device for a praline or like wrapping machine comprising gripper tongs having-gripping jaws adjustable relatively to said tongs, and means for securing said jaws to said tongs in any position of adjust ment thereon, said jaws having metal faces, thin layers of rubber on said faces and rub ber pads on said layers.

6. A gripping device for a praline or like wrapping machine comprising gripper tongs having gripping jaws adjustable relatively to aid tongs, and means for securing said jaws to said tongs in any position of adjustment thereon, said jaws having rubber pads, an intermediate support between each of said pads and its corresponding jaw, each of said supports comprising a plate covered with rubber by which rubber covering said support is attached to the jaw and to which rubbercovering the pad is pasted.

7 A gripping device for a praline or like wrapping machine comprising a pair of tongs having two arms, each arm provided with gripping jaws adjustably mounted thereon, fulcrums for said arms, opposed extensions on said arms, and a coupling member between said extensions, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

8. A gripping device for a praline or like wrapping machine comprising a pair of tongs having two arms, each arm provided with relatively adustable gripping jaws adjustably mounted thereon, fulcrums for said arms, opposed extensions on said arms, said extensions having recesses, a coupling member engaging within said recesses and a spring connected to said coupling member for closing said tongs.

9. Gripping mechanism for a praline or like wrapping machine comprising a plurality of pairs of tongs, a rotary carrier therefor, each pair of tongs having two arms, the fulcrums of the arms of each pair of tongs being spaced apart and carried by said carrier, each sair of arms having opposed eX- tensions provided with recesses, a coupling member engaging therein, a closing spring connected to said coupling member and a weaker spring adapted to act in opposition to said closing spring, each weaker spring being connected to the adjacent arms of adjacent pairs of tongs, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

OTTO LAUENSTEIN. 

